Chapter 10
What was happening to me?
Roslyn's voice cut through Alexander's reverie, her tone sharp as she dropped a file on the table. "Are you going to stare at me like this the whole day?"
Her gaze locked onto his, a fiery spark igniting within those doe eyes. Alexander blinked, shaken out of his thoughts.
"What is this?" he asked gruffly, his eyes scanning the file.
Roslyn's expression remained icy. "Are you illiterate like me? Read it yourself."
Alexander's jaw clenched, his anger rising. "Roslyn! I don't like disrespect. You know that."
A sly smile spread across her face, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Really? Used to be, then. Because now I won't respect you and your so-called family. We'll no longer be husband and wife."
Alexander's fists tightened, his face darkening. "One more word, Roslyn, and you'll see the worst of me."
Roslyn's eyes flashed with defiance. "I've never seen worse than you. Don't waste my time anymore. Just sign and free me. I don't have all day to see your face, Mr. Valtor."
Alexander's anger boiled over, his teeth grinding in frustration. This wasn't his submissive wife; something had transformed her, igniting a fire within.
The coldness in her voice grated on his nerves. Without a word, Alexander snatched the pen from the stand and scribbled his signature across the papers.
As he handed them back, Roslyn's face lit up with triumph. "Happy?"
"More than anything else," she replied, her voice laced with relief. "Thank you, Mr. Valtor."
Without hesitation, Roslyn turned and left, leaving Alexander stunned and reeling.
He stared after her, his mind racing. Anxiety and sadness swirled within him, and for the first time, he questioned his actions. Had he done something wrong? Could he really let her go?
No, he couldn't. Alexander's resolve hardened; he had to stop Roslyn.
With newfound determination, Alexander rose from his chair, striding toward the door. He couldn't let her walk away, not now. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks: he needed to fight for her.
"Roslyn!" he called out, his voice echoing down the corridor.
But she was gone.
"Why did she have to leave like that? So abruptly, without even a glance back.
"What's happened to my wife? The Roslyn I knew wouldn't dare speak to me like that.
"But... did I really know her? The way she stood up to me, her eyes flashing with defiance... it stirred something within me.
"I feel lost and uncertain. For the first time, I'm questioning my actions. Was I wrong to treat her the way I did?
"Memories flood my mind—the way she'd smile at me, the way she'd quietly endure my mother's jabs. I never appreciated her; I never truly saw her.
"And now she's gone. Left me without a second thought.
"Why does it bother me? I should be relieved. I wanted to get rid of her, didn't I?
"But that spark in her eyes... it awakened something within me. A desire to reclaim what I've lost.
"I need to stop her. I have to make her see that... that I care.
"But do I? Truly care? Or am I just trying to salvage my pride?
"No, it's more than that. I see Roslyn now, really see her, and I realize what I've been blind to.
"She's not just a wife, a possession. She's a woman, with fire in her soul.
"I want to know that woman. I need to know her.
"Roslyn, come back to me."
"I did it. I finally took control of my life.
"Walking away from Alexander felt liberating, like shedding a weight that had suffocated me for years.
"I expected anger and resistance, but not that look in his eyes. For a moment, I saw something different, something that made my heart flutter.
"But I won't be fooled. I know Alexander, his pride and ego. He'll try to pull me back to control me again.
"Not this time. I've found my strength, my voice.
"I remember Tyler's words: 'You deserve better.' He saw the real me, beyond the facade.
"Alexander never did. He saw only what he wanted—a trophy wife, a possession.
"But I'm more than that. I'm a woman with dreams, desires, and aspirations.
"I won't let him define me anymore. I'll forge my own path.
"Freedom tastes sweet. I'll savor every moment.
